Palisades Interstate Park -- NJ Section

Park Overview:
Trails on top of the Palisades and along the Hudson River, 12-13 miles each, with imposing views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Loop hikes possible for hikers willing to scale 300 feet or more.
Trail Uses:
Hiking
X-C skiing
Dogs:
Dogs on leash
Trail Miles:
25.2 miles
Park Acreage:
2500 acres
City/County/State:
Alpine
/
Bergen
/
NJ
Buy Trail Map:
Hudson Palisades Trails Map
Park Description:

The New Jersey section of the Palisades Interstate Park encompasses about 2,500 acres along the Hudson River from Fort Lee to the New Jersey state line, where it continues into New York State.  It is a long narrow park averaging less than an eighth of a mile wide.

The Palisades is a unique geological formation offering stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, not to mention its own imposing splendor.  

Trails Overview:

Two main trails traverse the length of the Jersey Palisades: the Long Path, which runs along the top of the cliffs, and the Shore Trail, which runs along their base.  In addition, five trails link the two paths making loop hikes possible for those willing to ascend/descend 250- to 400-feet.  The highest cliff is at Point Lookout at 532 feet above the Hudson River.

  • Long Path [13 miles in NJ; aqua blaze]: Extending north from the George Washington Bridge, the Long Path follows the level cliff-top of the Palisades.  For most of the way to the State Line Lookout it runs along a narrow strip of the land between the four-lane Parkway and the cliff edge.  As a result the sounds of traffic can be heard along the trail.  North of State Line Lookout the Parkway curves further inland so hikers along this section can escape the din. On the other hand, fantastic views from the cliff tops and the ruins of old mansions along the way make for a remarkable hike.
    • The Long Path begins at Fort Lee Historic Park.  It extends into New York State through the Catskill Forest Preserve and then well north and west of Albany.
  • Shore Trail [12.2 miles; white blaze]: The Shore Trail runs along the Hudson River from Fort Lee to 0.7 mile beyond the New Jersey-New York state line.  For most of its route it follows a nearly-level path that closely hugs the shoreline.  But north of Forest View, about 10.5 miles from the start, its character becomes rugged as it weaves up and down the accumulation of broken rock [some quite large; this section is called Giant Stairs] at the base of the cliffs, and then climbs rather steeply near its end to just over the state line.
  • The five cross-country ski trails [marked A through E] at State Line Lookout are open to hikers.
  • Cycling is permitted on Henry Hudson Drive [parts of drive may close in winter-check with park] from River Road in Edgewater up to and including Alpine Approach Road.  Bicycles are not permitted on any hiking trails, walking paths, or cross-country ski trails.
  • Maps, a description of trails, and a classification of hikes by level of difficulty are available on the park's website [see Contact Information].
For a description of several hikes, click this link and scroll down the "Parks" column to the Palisades Interstate Park, NJ.
Directions:

Those arriving by car have several access points from US 9W and the Palisades Interstate Parkway with parking available at Fort Lee Historic Park, Alpine Administration Building and State Line Lookout.  Roads lead down the cliffs to Ross Dock, Englewood Boat Basin, and Alpine Boat Basin where parking is also available.  There are also scenic outlooks that connect to trails, but with time-limited parking.

  • Driving directions and maps showing parking areas are on park's website.
  • Public Transportation:  Red and Tan routes #9A and #9W from the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal [at 41st Street] stop along US 9W.  Trail maps on the park's website identify these stops.
    • The park is also accessible from the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal to Bridge Plaza in Fort Lee.
  • Hiking to the hike:  From New York City, the most scenic approach to the Long Path is on foot across the George Washington Bridge
Contact Information:
Palisades Interstate Park: New Jersey Section
201-768-1360
Walk Book Region:
Palisades
Fees:None